Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the employees of the Department of Homeland Security, their partners at all levels of government, and the millions of emergency response providers and law enforcement agents nationwide should be commended for their dedicated service on the Nation's front lines in the war against acts of terrorism.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 731) expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the employees of the Department of Homeland Security, their partners at all levels of government, and the millions of emergency response providers and law enforcement agents nationwide should be commended for their dedicated service on the Nation's front lines in the war against acts of terrorism.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 731, and I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I am proud that my resolution, House Resolution 731, is being considered by the full House on this, the last day of National Preparedness Month, 2009.

I thank Homeland Security Chairman Mr. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, along with Ranking Member Peter King of New York, for cosponsoring House Resolution 731 and for their great help in moving this resolution through committee and to the House floor for consideration. I also want to thank the other cosponsors of this resolution too numerous to name at this time.

Our committee has come together in a bipartisan manner to show support for this important resolution. After all, emergency preparedness is not a partisan issue.

House Resolution 731 supports the goals and ideals of National Preparedness Month, a nationwide, coordinated effort held each September to encourage Americans to take simple steps in their homes, businesses, and schools to prepare for emergencies of all kinds.

This month marked the 6th year that the Department of Homeland Security has observed September as National Emergency Preparedness Month. In promoting the month, DHS partnered with over 2,400 organizations, including the American Red Cross and the Ad Council, to launch a series of Web, radio, television, and outdoor public service announcements. The PSAs highlight simple steps everyone can take to prepare for disasters. The campaign also utilizes new media resources such as Twitter and Facebook to reach up to over 80 percent of Americans.

One of the most important lessons from the tragic attacks on September 11, 2001, and Hurricane Katrina is that we all must be vigilant about preparing for an emergency. Recent wildfires, floods, tropical storms, and tornadoes have given us the opportunity to observe whether those lessons have since been corrected.

The dedicated employees of the Department of Homeland Security, under the new leadership of Secretary Janet Napolitano, and other Federal agencies successfully coordinated with State and local officials, first responders, and the private sector to assist with the

pre-positioning of lifesaving equipment, evacuation efforts, and search and rescue operations.

Similarly, we saw Americans donating their time and resources to assist communities in need.

House Resolution 731 also applauds the public servants at the Department of Homeland Security for their outstanding dedication to securing our Nation.

We know that terrorists across the world continue to target precious lives and critical infrastructure, as evidenced by various suicide bombings in recent years. Attacks in Mumbai, India, last year hit close to home for my constituents, with the loss of Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his wife, Rivka, two pillars of the Crown Heights, Brooklyn, community and the Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidic movement of Orthodox Judaism.

Yet, while we are fortunate that DHS, their Federal intelligence partners, and law enforcement agents have successfully thwarted further attacks on American soil since 9/11, a flurry of recent arrests in New York City, Colorado, and Dallas relating to alleged terrorist plots reminds us that America is still vulnerable.

I must commend the New York City Police Department, especially Commissioner Ray Kelly; deputy commissioner for counterterrorism, Dr. Richard Falkenrath; and Captain Michael Riggio, for their unyielding commitment to protecting my constituents and all the residents of New York City.

Just this Saturday, President Obama praised New York's finest for their outstanding work in securing our city during the U.N. General Assembly session and their exceptional teamwork in their coordination efforts with other police departments and with Federal partners in an ongoing investigation of an alleged terrorist plot.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no more speakers. If the gentleman from Florida has no more speakers, then I'm prepared to close after the gentleman closes.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

In closing, on this last day of National Preparedness Month 2009, I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 731 and to also encourage their constituents to visit www.ready.gov where they can learn how to be vigilant, alert and prepared for an emergency.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 731 to commend our first responders for their tireless efforts to ensure our safety as they serve on our Nation's front lines. These brave men and women are often the first ones on the scene and the last ones to leave.

Firefighters in Lorain, Elyria, Barberton, Akron, Brunswick, Strongsville and throughout my district and our Nation deserve our deepest gratitude. In spite of all of the cuts that our firefighters are facing, they continue to put their lives on the line to save ours.

Far too many communities in the 13th District of Ohio have had to lay

off firefighters. In Lorain, 33 percent of the time, fire station No. 4 is closed. But even with these frequent closures, they still put their lives on the line. They risk their lives without hesitation. Lorain firefighters Shawn Lloyd and Dan Russell were injured as they pulled a 6-year-old girl from a fire. Four firefighters from Elyria saved the 56-year old life of Russell Bowles, who wasn't breathing and had no heartbeat. They used a defibrillator to bring him back to life and then rushed him to the hospital.

In August, an Elyria Township firefighter was injured by a gas tank explosion as he was responding to a house fire. In Akron, fire captains Albert Bragg and Charles Twigg arrived at a house fire and were told someone was still in the home. Without hesitation, they ran into the house. They found the man and they carried him to safety. And when a man in Brunswick was experiencing a type of cardiac arrest known as the ``widow maker'' because it almost always results in death, it was firefighter Russ Merhaut and his fellow team members who arrived on the scene and resuscitated him.

First responders not only keep us safe, they also actively support our communities. This year, Barberton police officers and firefighters helped raise about $1,800 for the Youth in Action fund during the Police versus Fire Olympics. In Strongsville, the fire department plays an active role in Safety Town, which is a fire safety program that teaches children about fire safety and prevention.

We can sleep soundly at night knowing that these men and women are here to serve and protect us. But all too often, their service comes at a costly price. Each year, approximately 80,000 of our Nation's firefighters are injured. And last year, 103 firefighters were killed. Those who have made the ultimate sacrifice put their community and their neighbors above their own lives. And even though our departed firefighters are no longer with us, the lessons they taught us will last forever. Their noble and unrelenting allegiance to public service embodies the American spirit, and I cannot imagine better role models.

For these reasons, our Nation's firefighters and first responders deserve our continued praise and support. H. Res. 731 expresses our great appreciation for these great men and women. However, true support should come in the form of job stability. Protecting the jobs of our first responders is a top priority in ensuring the safety of all communities.

I was very pleased that language included in the supplemental appropriations bill this year expanded the use of the SAFER grants to allow communities to retain and rehire firefighters. Communities in my district are looking forward to applying for those grants that they so desperately need.

Given the economic hardships currently facing our country, these grants are critically important to the wellbeing of our firefighters and communities. Far too many communities have had to lay off firefighters. And as we all know, these fire department closures cause response times to be longer. This can be risky for emergency callers as well as for our firefighters because a working fire has more time to grow and become more dangerous.

Lorain firefighters need these SAFER grants, and Fire Chief Tom Brown is ready and waiting to apply for them. Elyria firefighters need these SAFER grants, and Elyria Fire Chief Rich Benton is ready and waiting to apply for them. In Akron, 38 firefighters have been laid off. Our firefighters are people with mortgages and young children. Akron firefighters need these SAFER grants, and Fire Chief Larry Bunner is ready and waiting to apply for them.

Competition for the estimated $630 million for the entire country will be intense. In 2008, 72 firefighters protected the city of Elyria, but today only 46 are tasked with the duty. And our union presidents like Dean Marks and Jon George are working hard to preserve jobs and the safety of their communities. The IAFF and the OAPF are working hard to protect the jobs of these brave men and women.

Our Nation's first responders can never be thanked enough for their efforts. Through this resolution, we recognize their brave work, and it does not go unnoticed. We salute the sacrifices and commitment to our State and local government officials for their efforts to keep our communities safe and deter acts of terrorism. Let's get those SAFER grants out.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 731 and thank my colleague, Ms. Clarke, for introducing it. This resolution applauds the public servants at the Department of Homeland Security, DHS, for their outstanding dedication to securing our Nation.

More importantly, House Resolution 731 encourages citizens to prepare themselves and their families to respond to any emergency--whether it is an act of terror, natural disaster, or other crisis.

Today marks the end of National Preparedness Month, NPM, which DHS has successfully promoted for the last 6 years. NPM is sponsored by the Ready Campaign and Citizen Corps program, and is designed to encourage Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses, and communities. DHS has partnered with 2,400 coalition members across the country to promote the message that preparedness is a shared responsibility and that we all must do our part to be ready when disaster strikes.

As a former volunteer firefighter, I know that lives are saved when the public takes steps to prepare for the worst. And as the chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, I want the people of this Nation to take the necessary steps to prepare themselves in the event of an emergency. To be prepared, all individuals should visit www.ready.gov and take three simple steps. These steps are:

1. Get a Kit. All households should build a disaster supply kit that includes enough supplies for each family member for three days. The kit should include basic items such as water, food, medicine, batteries, flashlights, hygiene materials, and blankets.

2. Make a Plan. Every family should develop and communicate with each other their evacuation or sheltering plan. The plan should correspond to the school, work and community of every member of the family. All families are encouraged to practice this plan to ensure familiarity with evacuation or meeting routes, have cell phones charged and keep a charger in the car.

3. Be informed. We all need to know about the type of disasters or emergencies that may occur where we live, work and play. Every citizen should also learn about what to do in the event of a biological, chemical, explosive, nuclear or radiological attack.

In addition to getting a kit, making a plan, and being informed, citizens can also get involved in helping their neighbors prepare. To learn how you can contribute to the Citizen Corps program, which brings together communities in emergency preparedness, planning, mitigation, response and recovery efforts, visit the www.citizencorps.gov website.

Mr. Speaker, an August 2009 survey commissioned by FEMA's Citizen Corps program shows we have a long way to go as a nation in preparing our communities for a disaster. According to the survey, just 56 percent of respondents reported having disaster supply kits in their home. Only 50 percent were familiar with emergency alert and warning systems, and just 38 percent were familiar with local sources of public safety information.

We must close these gaps. National Preparedness Month is one such step toward doing just that. It is an important national public awareness campaign that promotes citizen and community preparedness.

Mr. Speaker, for these reasons, I support H. Res. 731 and urge adoption of this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

I rise in support of House Resolution 731, sponsored by my committee colleague Yvette Clarke, my good friend, and of which I am an original cosponsor.

September is National Preparedness Month, and I think it is fitting that we are honoring the men and women at all levels of government who work every day to ensure our safety and security.

We recently commemorated the eighth anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks. It is not a coincidence that there has not been an attack on the United States in the 8 years since September 11. It is through the efforts of the brave men and women at the Department of Homeland Security and their partners at all levels of government. We are thankful for the work of law enforcement and emergency response providers nationwide.

The recently foiled terrorist plots in New York, Dallas, and Illinois served to remind us that terrorists are still intent on attacking our country. We must remain vigilant and support our law enforcement and emergency response providers in their efforts. These hardworking men and women often work behind the scenes and do not receive the recognition they deserve for all of their efforts to prevent, prepare for, and protect against terrorist attacks, natural disasters and other emergencies.

Our constituents have a role to play as well. On the Federal level, the Department of Homeland Security's Ready Campaign works to increase awareness and preparedness for terrorist attacks, natural disasters, and other emergencies. The Ready Campaign encourages individuals and families to have a preparedness kit and a plan and to be informed of possible threats to their area.

In Florida, our Division of Emergency Management also encourages citizen and community preparedness. Through its Web site, floridadisaster.org, individuals and families can use a tool to develop a disaster plan that includes information on the necessary food and water to have on hand, evacuation points and other important checklists. This is an important resource and one that I urge my constituents to take advantage of to prepare their families.

Everyone has a role to play in the safety and security of our Nation. I want to thank subcommittee Chairwoman Yvette Clarke for introducing this legislation to honor the individuals working to secure our Nation and highlighting National Preparedness Month and the need for citizen preparedness.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to join me in supporting this resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I'm prepared to close. I have no other speakers.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that it is important to recognize the hard work that Federal Homeland Security employees, emergency response providers and all law enforcement personnel are doing to prevent, prepare for and respond to terrorism, natural disasters and other emergencies. This resolution is a small token of our appreciation for their efforts to keep us safe and secure.

I urge all of our colleagues to support this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 731. The Department of Homeland Security has worked diligently to keep us safe since the devastating attacks on 9/11.

And thankfully we've not had a successful attack since then--it's not because of luck, but due to the hard work of the men and women who work every day to secure the Homeland.

The over 200,000 employees of 22 agencies that make up the Department deserve our utmost gratitude for their steadfast resolve and commitment to prevent acts of terror against our citizens.

They have worked to increase cooperation between our intelligence and defense communities.

They have strengthened our preparedness and created partnerships among Federal agencies and local and state first responders.

These employees patrol our land and sea borders, secure our airports and Ports of Entry and safeguard critical infrastructure.

Theirs is truly a 24/7 job whose successes are rarely known or acknowledged.

As the recent arrest of Najibullah Zazi, the Afghan accused of plotting to plant bombs in New York shows, we still face many challenges to stop the threat of terrorism on our shores and in our cities and towns.

Border security must be enhanced; we must remain vigilant if we are to continue to disrupt plots and attacks on our nation. Complacency isn't an option because as we have seen over and over again, the intent to commit acts of terrorism remains strong.

Defending the homeland will take more than just a Federal effort--our fire fighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical personnel, and other first responders selflessly and repeatedly risk their lives to fulfill their mission of helping to prevent, and prepare to respond to, acts of terrorism, major disasters, and other emergencies.

All Americans should take the opportunity during National Preparedness Month this September to take steps at home, work, and school to enhance their ability to assist in preventing, protecting against, and preparing to respond to acts of terrorism.

I commend the work of our first responders and the Department of Homeland Security. I offer my full cooperation in meeting our shared goals of keeping America safe and secure.

I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.